Increasing Tension at Indo-Pak Border; Church Calls for Talk

Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard Jan. 22 in Srinagar, near the India-Pakistan border. More than 40,000 villagers have fled their homes since Indian and Pakistani soldiers began exchanging fire across their borders.

At least 40,000 people have fled their homes after recent unrest at Indian-Pakistani borders. The Catholic Church has expressed concern over the increasing tension between the nuclear-powered rivals.

The exchange of fires at the border has resulted in reported death of at least 12 people, including seven civilians.

"The situation is worrisome, as precious human lives are getting lost. We pray that such hostilities between both sides end soon," Bishop Ivan Pereira of Jammu-Srinagar told ucanews.com.

"Dialogue is the best way to achieve results without shedding blood and without creating any animosity," he said.

"We urge both countries to talk, as violence is not a solution to any issue," he added.

The exchange of fire across the Line of Control across Kashmir, a military demarcation agreed to by both India and Pakistan, increased on Jan. 19, forcing Jammu and Kashmir to sound a red alert.

People in frontier areas were forced out of their homes to take shelter in government safe houses.

"Villages in the border area of Jammu province are dark and deserted. The area is being continuously shelled. The people fled to safety," the government advisory said, according to crux.